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The Health Ministry maintains that over 21,000 Indian children in 2022-23 did not get the first measles shot, and that catch-up vaccinations are going on in States.
A new report from the WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said measles cases in 2022 have increased by 18%, and deaths by 43% globally, compared to 2021.
This, the report states, takes the estimated number of measles cases to nine million and deaths to 1,36,000, mostly among children.
What is measles
Measles, also known as Rubeola.
It is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus.
It's a serious respiratory illness that spreads easily through the air by coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms of measles:
Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Red eyes
Red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
Koplik spots, small white spots with blue centers on the inside of the cheeks
The best way to prevent measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and it is recommended for all children at 12 months of age and a second dose at 4-6 years of age.
Measles treatment:
There is no specific treatment for measles.
The symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers and fever reducers.
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the vaccination programme?
The WHO notes that the pandemic has led to setbacks in surveillance and immunisation efforts across the globe leaving millions of children vulnerable to diseases like measles.
No country is exempt from measles, and areas with low immunisation encourage the virus to circulate.
It will increasing the likelihood of outbreaks and putting all unvaccinated children at risk.
In India, as recently as late last year, Maharashtra and Kerala saw a spike in cases of measles.
While Maharashtra recorded over 800 cases and over 10 deaths linked to the disease, Kerala’s Malappuram district reported 160 cases of measles.
The spread caused enough alarm to prompt the Indian Academy of Paediatricians to step in and appeal for vaccination.
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